Malls, schmalls. Below you will find what we, your cherished Spew scribes, have on our holiday alternative shopping lists today. We've also included handy links to help you find your way. President Bush says shopping keeps us free, so who are we (or you?) to argue?

Holiday Trunk Sale
We love the holidays, but let’s face it: shopping at this time of year can suck. Snagging your nails in a catfight over a cashmere scarf, ruining your skin in the moisture-sucking mall air, and growing monster knots of tension just to cross each gift off your list makes for a stressful season. Enter Tempest Lounge, whose Holiday Trunk Show Saturday is a much-needed respite from the insanity. Seven local artists â€" Laura Towse, Jennevieve Schlemmer, Sara Woodward, Pam Sprowl, Kimberly Kay, Michelle Douglas, Brit-Simone Sutter and Marty Kneeland from Vinosus â€" offer their creations for holidays gifts (and get to keep 100 percent of their sales). Booze will be flowing so no kiddies. â€" Suzy Stump

[Tempest Lounge, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2-6 p.m., 913 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.272.4904]

Holiday Glass Sale
There should be a connection here. Christmas, Christmas ornaments, glass, glassblowing. ... There really should be a connection here. Hhhmm. ... Hilltop Artists in Residence Tacoma hosts its annual Holiday Glass Sale Saturday (Christmas, creating healthy spirit for youth, glass?). Beginning at 7 a.m. the public picks numbered tickets for order of admittance (gifts early in the morning ... like Christmas?). But this sale is one day only, sooo. ... Come grab your new Christmas ornament or piece of art, or Christmas shop, if you just get inspired enough. There we go. Connection. â€" SS

[Jason Lee Middle School, Saturday, Dec. 8, 7 a.m. ticket distribution, 9 a.m. to noon sale, 602 N. Sprague, Tacoma, 571.7670]

Holiday alternative
Take one look around and you’ll see that most South Sounders go plumb crazy buying the latest fancy doodads and electronic gadgets as presents for their loved ones. Perhaps the question has crossed your mind: Can’t my family find a more meaningful way to celebrate Christmas?

Leave it to the fine folks at the Alternative Gift Fair to come up with a solution. The Alternative Gift Fair offers shoppers the chance to buy a gift in someone’s name from organizations that help train the homeless, help protect the environment, build homes for families and feed the hungry.

So do something truly good for others this Christmas season and visit the 20 organizations at The Olympia Center Saturday. â€" Michael Swan

[The Olympia Center, Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 222 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia, 360.754.5397]